Connector for tube bundle extractor



March 24, 1964 W. R. POSTLEWAITE ETAL CONNECTOR FOR TUBE BUNDLE EXTRACTOR Filed July 18. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 N b &

INVENTORS WILLIAM R. POSTLEWA/TE CHARLES ,4. ROWE BY 2111;

RNEYS March 1964 w. R. POSTLEWAITE ETAL 3,

CONNECTOR FOR TUBE BUNDLE EXTRACTOR Filed Jul}; 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS WILLIAM R. POSTLEWA/TE CHARLES A. ROWE March 1964 w. R. POSTLEWAITE ETAL 3,

CONNECTOR FOR TUBE BUNDLE EXTRACTOR Filed July 18. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS WILL/AM R. POSTLEWA/TE CHARLES A. ROWE March 1954 w. R. P OSTLEWAITE ETAL 3,126,103

CONNECTOR FOR TUBE BUNDLE EXTRACTOR Filed July 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F l/.-/l6 54 I I llllnl" .n lml 98 INVENTORS WILL/AM R. POSTLEWA/TE CHARLES A. ROWE United States Patent CONNECTOR FOR TUBE BUNDLE EXTRACTOR William R. Postlewaite, Menlo Park, and Charles A.

Rowe, Corte Madera, Calif., assignors to California Research Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 18, 1961, 'Ser. No. 124,976 6 Claims. (Cl. 2141) This invention relates to a heat exchanger tube bundle extractor and more particularly to apparatus for connecting a portable tube bundle extractor to the shell of a horizontal heat exchanger by adjustable means which will accommodate shells of the various diameters while establishing the proper alignment between the tube bundle extractor and the shell.

Tube bundle extractors of the type to which the device of the present invention particularly applies are portable mechanisms which can be maneuvered into alignment with the shell of a tube bundle and then securely attached to the shell. The tube bundle extractor contains a forceexerting means which can be attached to the separable tube bundle which is within the shell of the heat exchanger and operated to exert a force between the shell and the tube bundle extractor frame either to withdraw the tube bundle from its shell or to insert a tube bundle within the shell. The tube bundle extractor has incorporated in its frame a trolley beam from which are suspended slings which are used to support the tube bundle as it is displaced from its shell. The frame, including the trolley beam and the connected force-exerting means, desirably is maintained in axial alignment with the shell to prevent bending or other transverse forces from being applied to the tube bundle with the possibility of damage from the latter.

Tube bundle extractors of the type pertinent to the present invention are disclosed in application Serial No. 704,390, filed December 23, 1957, in the names of William R. Postlewaite and Eric S. Warner and entitled Tube Bundle Extractor. As disclosed in this referenced application, the tube bundle extractor is designed to be handled by a mobile crane which can transport the extractor over the ground and lift it to various elevations for connection to each of the multiplicity of heat exchanger tube bundles which are found distributed throughout an installation such as an oil refinery. The heat exchangers are of various sizes throughout the refinery installations and it is desirable for an efiicient operation to provide the tube bundle extractor with a device which will permit it to be readily connected to any of the various sized shells of the heat exchangers and aligned in its operating position with a minimum use of time and manpower. The present invention is directed to such a device.

Pursuant to the present invention, the tube bundle extractor is provided at one end of its frame with a connector which employs projecting arm members on the ends of which are carried connector pins. The arm members are mounted to swing in arcs to symmetrically displace the connector pins an appropriate distance apart to be received by complementary plates secured to the shell of the heat exchanger. The arms are interconnected to be swung in synchronism toward or away from each other while displacing their respective connector pins equal distances on each side of the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle extractor, and the connector pins are arranged to maintain an axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the extractor as the arms travel through their arcs. Thus, the connector pins can be swung expeditiously into engagement with their complementary connector plates on the heat exchanger shell and locked to the plates to hold the tube bundle extractor secured to and in alignment with the shell.

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The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved means for connecting a portable tube bundle extractor to the shell of a heat exchanger.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connector for a tube bundle extractor which will enable the extractor to be connected to the shell of a heat exchanger expeditiously and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shell and which is adjustable by simple manipulation to accommodate heat exchanger shells of various sizes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved means for connecting a tube bundle extractor to the shell of a heat exchanger without requiring a permanent attachment of connector elements to said shell.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved self-contained portable tube bundle extractor.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the description of it proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates in side elevation a portable tube bundle extractor connected to the shell of the heat exchanger and with the tube bundle extracted from its shell and supported in the extractor.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates in plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates in plan View the apparatus connecting the tube bundle extractor to the shell of a heat exchanger and shows the tube bundle partly extracted from its shell.

FIG. 4 illustrates in end elevation and partly in section the apparatus connecting the tube bundle extractor to the shell of a heat exchanger.

FIG. 5 illustrates in side elevation and partly in section details of the apparatus connecting the tube bundle extractor to the shell of the heat exchanger.

FIG. 6 illustrates in plan view the arrangement shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates in side elevation= a detail of a mounting for pivotally supporting particular members of the connector apparatus.

FIG. 8 illustrates in end elevation the mounting shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates in side elevation and partly in section details of a thrust bearing arrangement employed in the connector apparatus.

FIG. 10 represents a section taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 represents a section taken along the line 1111 of FIG. 9.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a tube bundle extractor 20 is supported by lines 22, 24, and 26 from a mobile crane, not shown, at the elevation of the shell 28 of a heat exchanger, to which shell it is connected. As described in more detail in the referenced application Serial No. 704,390, the tube bundle extractor may comprise an elongated frame composed of three principal elongated members 30, 32, and 34, which are secured together by transverse yoke-like members 36 and 38 which provide clearance within the frame to receive a tube bundle.

The elongated member 34 has incorporated with it a trolley beam 40 from which is supported on rollers 41, through a respective carriage 43, a plurality of adjustable slings 42 and 44 which support the tube bundle as it is extracted from its shell. A force-exerting means 46 which may be an air motor, for example, acts through appro priate shafts and gearing to drive chains which are disposed within the elongated members 30 and 32. These chains are connected to a member 48 which is constructed to be pulled by the chains in either direction "o throughout substantially the length of the frame of the tube bundle extractor.

The member 48 is connected by appropriate linkage 50 to the separable tube bundle. Hence as the motor 46 is operated, the member 48 is pulled along the frame of the tube bundle extractor to exert a force on the tube bundle 52 to extract it from or insert it into its shell 28.

In order to prevent damage to the tubular elements of the tube bundle, it is necessary to hold the tube bundle extractor stabilized in axial alignment with the shell of the tube bundle while the tube bundle is being extracted from or inserted into its shell. The frame of the tube bundle extractor is connected at one end to the shell of the heat exchanger by means which permits the tube bundle extractor to be centered with the shell and which will hold the frame of the tube bundle extractor fixed by a hinged connection to the shell against the axial thrust which the force-exerting means of the tube bundle extractor exerts on the tube bundle. The free or outer end of the frame is stabilized by a line 54 which is rigged to the mobile crane and which can be adjusted to maintain the frame of the tube bundle extractor in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shell of the heat exchanger when engaging and disengaging the extractor and the shell.

For most efiicient operation, the mechanism connecting the frame of the extractor to the shell of the heat exchanger must be readily adjustable to accommodate shells of various diameters and must accomplish the centering function substantially automatically as the connection is made. Furthermore, this mechanism desirably must permit substantial relative hinged motion in a vertical plane between the frame of the extractor and the shell to accommodate initial misalignment as the connection is being made and to accommodate some movement of the frame as the weight of the tube bundle is imposed upon it and prior to the time the supporting lines can be adjusted to again establish the proper alignment.

Since the tube bundle ordinarily is made of flexible tubing which will sag between the slings supporting it in the extractor frame, it is desirable to provide a means for adjusting the position of the frame to compensate for this sag and bring a portion of the tube bundle into substantially coaxial alignment with the shell of the heat exchanger as this portion is being inserted into its shell. The transverse baflle plates ordinarily used in tube bundle construction are made only slightly smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the shell and any appreciable displacement from coaxial alignment with the shell of the tube bundle portion being inserted will cause the baffle plates at this portion to contact the end of the shell and interfere with or prevent the inserting operation.

In accordance with the present invention, the extractor frame has mounted on one end of it, adjacent the heat exchanger shell, a pair of pintle elements 56 and 58 which are symmetrically disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the frame. Each pintle ele ment is supported by respective bearings 60 and 62 which permit these elements to rotate about their vertical axes. A respective arm structure is rigidly connected to each of the elements 56 and 58 and extends longitudinally of the frame toward the shell of the tube bundle.

The arm structures are similar in construction and the same reference numeral will be used to designate corresponding parts in each. These structures comprise rigid beam members 64 and 66 which are welded at one end to the corresponding pintle elements 56 and 58 and at the other end are welded to the top portion 68 of a support 70. A third rigid beam 72 of the arm structure is welded to the bottom portion 74 of the support and has its other end pivotally mounted in a bearing '76, FIG. 8, which is secured to the lower surface of the corresponding members 30 and 32 in coaxial alignment with the axis a of rotation of the corresponding pintle elements 56 and 58.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, a bifurcated member '78 is rigidly mounted on the support 70, with the bifurcated portion extending therefrom toward the shell of the heat exchanger. A universal joint is supported by the bifurcations of this member, with the inner sec tion 82 of the joint mounted on a vertical pivot pin 84 to rotate in a horizontal arc and the outer portion 86 of the joint mounted on a horizontal pivot pin supported by the inner portion 82 to rotate in a vertical are.

A connector pin 88 is rigidly secured at one end to the outer portion 86 of the universal joint and projects therefrom in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the frame of the tube bundle extractor toward the shell of the heat exchanger. A leaf spring 90 is fixedly secured at one end to a projection 92 on the upper surface of the outer portion 86 of the universal joint as by bolts 94 and has its other end in engagement with an upward extension of the pivot pin 84 on which the inner portion 82 of the universal joint is pivoted. The leaf spring 90 functions to keep the connector pin 88 in parallel alignment in a vertical plane with the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle extractor prior to connecting the extractor to the shell to assist this connection being made but permits restrained deviation from this alignment of the connector pin without creating undue stress on the interconnected parts. The alignment of the connector pin may be adjusted by controlling the thickness of the shim 96 against which the fixed end of the spring is bolted.

The outer portion 86 of the universal joint is formed with a lateral projections 98 extending outwardly from the axis of the tube bundle extractor. A parallel motion linkage member 100 is mounted at one end on this projection by a ball and socket joint 102, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The other end of the linkage member 100 is pivotally connected to a fixed portion of the frame of the tube bundle extractor, as is illustrated in 'FIG. 8, by the pivot pin 104 connecting the link 1190 to the frame member 32 through a plate 105 rigidly fixed to and projecting laterally from this member. The link 100 has the same effective length in plan projection as the distance between the axis of rotation of the element 56 and 58 and the center of the pivot pin 84 of the corresponding universal joint 80. The axis of the pivot pin 104 is set the same lateral distance from the center of rotation of the corresponding element 56 and 58 as the effective center of the ball and socket joint 102 is set from the center of the pivot pin 84. By this construction, the outer portion 86 of the universal joint and hence the connector pin 88 which projects from it will be maintained in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle extractor as the arm structures of the connector are swung in horizontal arcs to accommodate tube bundles of various diameters. This function of the connector device for the tube bundle extractor is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the phantom lines 186 show the parallel disposition to that of the solid line drawing of the portions of the connector pin assemblage when the arm structures are swung outwardly and away from each other to accommodate a heat exchanger shell of larger diameter.

The respective parallel motion linkage members 100 are curved downwardly in the region 101 adjacent to the free end of the arm structures to clear the ends 108 and 110 of the respective frame members 30 and 32 as the arm structures are swung outwardly for connection to large diameter shells. This configuration of the parallel link members is best shown in FIG. 5. It will be understood that =the bent configuration in a vertical plane of the parallel motion linkage members 100 does not affect their function of maitnaining the connector pins 88 parallel with the axis of the tube bundle extractor as the arm structures are displaced in horizontal arcs as explained heretofore.

It will be noted from the construction described that the ball and socket joints 102 and the universal joints 80 on both sides of the connector mechanism will all be in transverse alignment regardless of the size of the heat exchanger shell to which the extractor is connected. Hence when the connector pins 83 are rigidly attached to the shell, in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter, the extractor frame can be swung in a vertical plane about this transverse alignment axis which will function as a hinge axis. Therefore, the vertical alignment of the extractor frame with respect to the shell of the heat exchanger to which it is connected can be adjusted as necessary to compensate for the variable elastic sag of the the flexible tube bundle which is being inserted into or withdrawn from the shell, for the reasons explained heretofore.

The connector pins 83 are attached to the shell of the heat exchanger by a pair of respective connector plates 112. These plates are similar to each other in construction except for a reverse arrangement of the parts to make one applicable to the right side and the other to the left side of the shell of the heat exchanger, and the same reference numeral will be used for corresponding parts of each. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the connector plate 112 has an arcuate form 114 on its inner edge which is proportioned to overlap a portion of the flange 116 on the shell 28 of the heat exchanger. This flange may be, and preferably is, the flange to which the end closure or tube sheet of the tube bundle is secured in normal use, which end closure must be removed to extract the tube bundle from its shell. A plurality of studs 118 are fixedly secured to the connector plate and extend from one face thereof in alignment with, and to be received by, the existing bolt holes in the flange member 116. Thus, the connector plates may readily be detachably secured to the shell of a heat exchanger :by inserting the studs in the existing holes from which head bolts have been removed when removing the end closure and then applying the nuts 120 to bolt the connector plate securely to the flange.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, connector plates of appropriate dimensions are made for each size of tube bundle to be worked upon, as shown by the connector plate 122 which is applied to a shell 123 of lesser diameter and the connector plate 112 which is applied to a shell 28 of greater diameter. Except for the difference in size and corresponding diflerence in curvature, the form and disposition of the other component parts of the connector plate as described hereinafter are similar for all connector plates.

A pair of connector plates is applied to the shell of a heat exchanger with the respective plates disposed in diametrically opposed relationship on the horizontal axis of the shell. As illustrated by the plate 112, each plate has a radially disposed slot 124, FIG. 5, formed in it and opening at the radially outwardly edge of the plate with diverging tapers 126', FIG. 4, which serve to guide the connector pin 88 into the slot. The base of the slot is located within the peripheral edges of the plate and at this location the face of the connector plate which is directed toward the tube bundle extractor has formed in it a cylindrical recess 128, FIG. 5, to receive a complementary cylindrical projection 13% which is formed unitary with the mating face 132 of the universal joint portion 86 and surrounding the connector pin 88. When the tube bundle extractor is interlocked with the connector plate, the mating projection 130 and recess 128 prevents displacement of the connector pin 88 from the slot 124 under the lateral forces occurring between the parts when the tube bundle extractor is in operation.

The connector plate has secured to it in a position below the slot 124 a unitary projecting portion .134 which has an upper horizontal plate surface 135 extending both toward the position of the tube bundle extractor and radially outwardly with respect to the shell of the heat exchanger. This plate surface is designed be contacted by a guide button 138 secured to the lower bifurcated portion of the member 78 and disposed to place the connector pin 88 in horizontal alignment with the slot 124. Thus, when the arm structures of the connector device for the tube bundle extractor are swung inwardly for con nection to the shell of the heat exchanger, the plate surfaces 136 will contact and serve to stabilize this end of the tube bundle extractor and assist in leveling the connector pins '88 and guiding them into their complementary slots in the connector plates 112.

When the respective connector pins are in full engagement with the slots in their complementary connector plates and the projections 134) from the connector pin assemblies are nested in the complementary recesses 128, the free end of the connector pin 88 projects axially beyond the face 140 of the connector plate a sufficient distance to be reecived in a slot 141 of a slotted block 142 which can be slipped over it in a direction transversely of the radial slot 124 in the connector plate. A handle 144 is attached to the block 142 to facilitate this operation.

The outer end of the connector pin 88 is screw-threaded to receive a nut 146 which is held captive on the connector pin by a washer 148 affixed to the outermost end of the pin. A second washer 150 made integral with nut 146 bears against the adjacent face 152 of the slotted block 142 to assist in tightening the nut down on the block to clamp the connector pin 88 to the connector plate 112. This arrangement provides a means for rapidly clamping and unclamping the parts since a few turns of the nut 146 will release the block 142 and permit it to be withdrawn from the assemblage to provide sutficient play between the inter-engaged parts to permit the connector pin 88 to be disengaged from and swung laterally free of the connector plate 112. Also, by standardizing the thickness of all the various connector plates used, the tube bundle extractor can readily be connected to the shell of any heat exchanger since the position the nut 146 attains in detaching the tube bundle extractor from one shell will not have to be changed during the initial stages of its connection to another shell.

Prior to connecting the tube bundle extractor to the shell of a heat exchanger to be worked upon, the two connector plates 112 are attached to the flange of the heat exchanger in the manner described heretofore. The tube bundle extractor is then raised by a mobile crane to the elevation of the heat exchanger and the connector arm structures of the tube bundle extractor are swung open until the connector pins are spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than that across the outer peripheral edges of the connector plates. The tube bundle extractor is maneuvered into axial alignment with the shell of the heat exchanger and the guide buttons 138 are brought down vertically into contact with their complementary guide plates 135. The connector arm structures are then swung together to seat the connector pins 88 in the corresponding slots 124 of the respective connector plates 112 and the connection is completed by dropping the slotted blocks 142 around the connector pins and tightening the nuts 146.

It will be appreciated that since this connection is being accomplished while the tube bundle extractor is hanging from the load lines of a mobile crane, there is a possibility that some movement of the extractor relative to the shell of the heat exchanger will occur after the connector pins have engaged the slots in the connector plates. The connector device is designed to freely accommodate this movement by mounting each connector pin on a respective universal joint whose movement is restrained by a spring in the manner described heretofore. If this flexibility for the connector pins were not provided there would be a possibility that they would be overstressed and bent or some of the connector parts broken while the connection was being made. After the connector 7 pins are firmly clamped to the connector plates this end of the tube bundle extractor is stabilized in position and enables the extractor to be kept in proper alignment with the shell of the heat exchanger by manipulating the lines of the mobile crane.

Refer now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 10. As described heretofore the arm structures of the tube bundle extractor connector are rigidly fixed to the rotatable elements 56 and 58 to swing upon rotation of the latter. A respective projecting lever element 156 and 158 is securely fixed to the complementary elements 56 and 58 and extends radially therefrom. The ends of the element 156 and 158 are forked and support a respective nut element 161) and 162 which is pivoted to the respective lever element to swing in a horizontal plane. A transverse shaft 164 threaded at one end with a right-hand thread and at the other with a left-hand thread, each complementary to a mating thread in the corresponding nuts 160 and 162, is threaded into the nuts. A chain pulley 166 is rigidly affixed to one end of the shaft, as adjacent the nut 160, and a chain 168 engages the pulley and forms a drive for rotating the shaft 164. A keeper 170 is secured to the other end of the shaft to prevent the shaft from escaping from the nut 162 and to act as a stop to limit the outward swing of the connector arm structures. An adjustable collar 172 is threaded on the shaft inwardly of nut 162 to limit the inward swing of the arm structures.

The central portion 174 of shaft 164 passes through a thrust bearing member 176 which is rigidly secured to the web portion 178 of the longitudinal frame member 34 of the tube bundle extractor. Thrust collars 180 and 182 are adjustably secured to the shaft 164 respectively on either side of the bearing 17 6. The thrust collars 180 and 182 and the bearing member 176 are designed to restrain the arm structures from moving laterally under the lateral loads which are imposed on the connector pins. These lateral loads are transmitted by the arm structures to the rotatable elements 56 and 58, and thence are imposed through the levers 156 and 158 on the shaft 164. The thrust collars 180 and 182 and the bearing member 176 cooperate to prevent transverse movement of the shaft 164 relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame of the tube bundle extractor and hence prevent unwanted lateral or swinging movement of the connector arm structures. However, when the connector pins 88 are not clamped to their complementary connector plates 112, the connector arms can be swung in synchronism toward or away from each other by rotating the chain pulley 166. Radial clearance 183 is provided between the portion 174 of the shaft and the inner periphery of bearing member 176 to permit the shaft 164 to move radially in the hearing as the shaft is displaced in position by the swinging motion of the levers 156 and 158.

As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the thrust collars 180 and 182 preferably are threaded on the shaft 164, as by screw threads 184, but are split longitudinally on one side, as at 186, and the split ends connected by screws 188, which thus can be tightened to clamp the thrust collar firmly to the shaft or loosened to permit the thrust collar to be adjusted along the threaded shaft. Wrench flats 189 are provided to assist this adjustment. By this means, an initial lateral adjustment of the connector pins 88 can be made to place them precisely equal distances on their respective sides of the longitudinal axis of the tube bundle extractor. Thus, in subsequent operations, when the shaft 164 is rotated to swing the connector arms toward each other and engage the connector pins with their respective connector plates 112, this end of the tube bundle extractor frame will be precisely in line with the longitudinal axis of the shell of the heat exchanger when the connector pins are seated in the comple mentary slots in the connector plates and clamped in place. This concentricity of the connected parts is of some importance when it is considered that when extracting a tube bundle from a shell in the smaller size range there will be a relative lateral loading of approximately 8,000 pounds between the connector pins and the frame of the tube bundle extractor when the force-exerting means of the tube bundle extractor is exerting a force of 40,000 pounds on the tube bundle. Any appreciable eccentricity of the extracting force develops additional lateral loading in one of the connector arm structures which will tend to twist the frame of the tube bundle extractor out of axial alignment with the shell of the heat exchanger and present the possibility of damaging either the connector mechanism or the heat exchanger.

Operation As explained heretofore. the heat exchanger is prepared for removal of the tube bundle by unbolting the tube sheet from the end flange of the shell, displacing the tube sheet and then bolting the connector plates 112 to the flange. The tube bundle extractor is supported by lines from a traveling crane which lift it to the elevation of the heat exchanger and in approximately coaxial alignment with the shell. The connector arm structures of the tube bundle extractor are swung open by manipulating the chain 168 until the connector pins 88 are swung apart a distance greater than the distance across the peripheries of the connector plates.

The guide buttons 138 on the connector end of the tube bundle extractor are lowered into engagement with their complementary guide plates 136 to align the connector pins with the complementary slots 124 in the connector plates after which the connector arms are swung together by manipulation of the chain 168 to dispose the respective connector pins in their corresponding slots. The connector pins are then secured to the connector plates by dropping the slotted blocks 142 around them and tightening the nuts 146 against the blocks.

The member 43 of the tube bundle extractor is now connected to the tube bundle by the linkage 5t) and the air motor 46 is operated to pull the member 48 along the frame of the tube bundle extractor, pulling the tube bundle with it. As the tube bundle is extracted from its shell, a sling 44 is placed circumferentially around its lower portion and adjusted in tension to support the weight of the tube bundle from the trolley beam 40. As the tube bundle is extracted further from its shell, the alignment of the tube bundle extractor with respect to the latter can be adjusted by the line 54 to the traveling crane to compensate for the weight and sag of the tube bundle. Thus, the portion of the tube bundle immediately adjacent the shell will be in substantially coaxial alignment with the latter to prevent damage to the tubes.

Before the tube bundle is completely withdrawn from its shell, 21 second sling 42 is placed circumferentially around its lower portion to support the weight of this end from the trolley beam 40.

When the tube bundle is completely extracted from its shell, the nuts 146 are loosened, the slotted blocks 142 removed from around the connector pins and the chain 168 is manipulated to swing the connector arms outwardly and displace the connector pins from engagement with the connector plates. The tube bundle extractor and the tube bundle supported in its are then transported by the traveling crane to a shop where the tube bundle can be cleaned and repaired.

The tube bundle is reinserted into its shell by reversing the steps of the procedure described immediately heretofore.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description, that the device of this invention accomplishes the objects for which it is designed and substitution of equivalents can be made for particular elements described in the specification without departing from the concept of the invention. Hence, it is intended that this invention embrace all equivalents within the scope of the appended claims.

9 te claim:

1. In a tube bundle extractor wherein an elongated frame is connected at one end to and in alignment with a heat exchanger shell containing a separable tube bundle and a force-exerting means is engaged between the tube bundle and the frame to exert a force on the tube bundle to move it relative to its shell along the frame, means for connecting a frame of a tube bundle extractor to a heat exchanger shell containing a separable tube bundle comprising a pair of vertically disposed pintle elements mounted on one end of said frame in spaced-apart parallel relationship and symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said frame, a respective rigid arm structure connected to each of said pintle elements and extending longitudinally from said end of said frame, a respective universal joint mounted on the free end of each said arm structure, a respective connector pin secured at one end to each said universal joint and extending longitudinally outwardly therefrom in alignment with said frame, a respective parallel motion linkage pivotally connected at one end to each said universal joint and at the other end to said frame and operative to maintain each said connector pin in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of said frame as the respective said pintle element is rotated to swing in a horizontal arc the respective said rigid arm structure connected to said pintle element, means for rotating simultaneously each of said pintle elements toward and away from the other to displace each said connector pin laterally a like amount relative to the longitudinal axis of said frame, respective means complementary to each said connector pin and secured to said shell on diametrically opposite sides thereof and receiving the said connector pin in interlocking relationship to secure said frame to said shell.

2. Means for connecting a frame of a tube bundle extractor to a shell containing a separable tube bundle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said universal joint and said connector pin are restrained in vertical rotary movement relative to said arm structure by a spring connected to and between said universal joint and said arm structure, which spring functions to urge said connector pin into alignment in a vertical plane with the said longitudinal axis of said frame.

3. Means for connecting a tube bundle extractor to the shell of a heat exchanger comprising a tube bundle extractor having an elongated frame constructed to be disposed in alignment with the longitudinal axis of a heat exchanger shell containing a separable tube bundle, a pair of arm structures pivotally mounted on one end of said frame and disposed with one arm structure of said pair on each side of the longitudinal axis of said frame and operative to swing in arcs toward and away from each other and toward and away from said longitudinal axis of said frame, a respective connector pin assembly pivotally mounted on the end of each said arm structure and having a connector pin projecting therefrom in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said frame, a respective second arm pivotally connected to said connector pin assembly and to said one end of said frame and disposed in parallel relationship to the complementary said arm structure and operating to maintain each said connector pin in alignment with said longitudinal axis of said frame as said arm structures are swung in said arcs, operating means interconnecting said arm structures to swing said arm structures in synchronism toward and away from each other in equal respective arcs, a pair of connector plates detachably secured to said shell and disposed sym- 10 metrically on each side of the longitudinal axis thereof, a radially outwardly open slot in each said connector plate and positioned to receive a complementary said connector pin as said arm structures are swung toward each other, and means for securing a respective said connector pin to its complementary said connector plate.

4. Means in accordance with claim 3 wherein each said connector plate includes a respective projecting guide portion positioned toward said frame and located to engage a part of the said connector pin assembly to position said connector pins in horizontal alignment with the opening of the complementary said slot in said connector plates as said arm structures are swung toward said connector plates.

5. Means in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for securing said connector pin to its complementary said connector plate comprises a slotted block which is slipped transversely of said slot in said connector plate over an end of said connector pin which projects beyond said connector plate when said connector pin is in engagement with the said slot in said connector plate, and wherein the said end portion of said connector pin is screw-threaded and has a nut threaded thereon to engage said slotted block and clamp said slotted block against said connector plate.

6. Means for detachably interconnecting two elongated structures in axial alignment comprising a pair of pivoted arms mounted on one end of a first elongated structure and disposed symmetrically on each side of the longitudinal axis thereof, a respective universal joint mounted on the free end of each of said arms, a respective connector pin secured at one end to a complementary said universal joint and projecting therefrom, a respective parallel motion linkage means connected to each said universal joint and operating to maintain said connector pins in respective planes of a first pair of parallel planes which are in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of said first elongated structure, means flexibly aligning said connector pins in respective planes of a second pair of parallel planes which are in parallel alignment with said longitudinal axis of said first elongated structure, means interconnecting said arms and operative to pivot said arms symmetrically and in synchronism toward and away from each other through equal arcs to displace the respective said connector pins equal lateral distances on each side of said longitudinal axis of said first elongated structure, connector elements on a second elongated structure and complementary to said connector pins, said connector elements disposed symmetrically on each side of the longitudinal axis of said second elongated structure and positioned to receive the respective complementary said connector pins in detachable interlocking relationship when the said longitudinal axis of said first elongated structure is in alignment with the said longitudinal axis of said second elongated structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,262,969 Shultz Nov. 18, 1941 2,461,983 Jarret Feb. 15, 1949 2,718,321 Westermeyer Sept. 20, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 176,869 Austria Dec. 10, 1953 OTHER REFERENCES Chemical Engineering, vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 72 and 74, Jan. 12, 1959.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,126,103 March 24, 1964 William R. Postlewaite et al It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2;, lines 26 and 27 strike out "FIG. 3 illustrates in plan, View of the arrangement shown in FIG.

1."; column l line 74, for "maitnaining" read maintaining column 8, line 63 for "its" read it Signed and sealed this 14th day of July 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON G. JOHNSON EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A TUBE BUNDLE EXTRACTOR WHEREIN AN ELONGATED FRAME IS CONNECTED AT ONE END TO AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH A HEAT EXCHANGER SHELL CONTAINING A SEPERABLE TUBE BUNDLE AND A FORCE-EXERTING MEANS IS ENGAGED BETWEEN THE TUBE BUNDLE AND THE FRAME TO EXERT A FORCE ON THE TUBE BUNDLE TO MOVE IT RELATIVE TO ITS SHELL ALONG THE FRAME, MEANS FOR CONNECTING A FRAME OF A TUBE BUNDLE EXTRACTOR TO A HEAT EXCHANGER SHELL CONTAINING A SEPARABLE TUBE BUNDLE COMPRISING A PAIR OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED PINTLE ELEMENTS MOUNTED ON ONE END OF SAID FRAME IN SPACED-APART PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP AND SYMMETRICALLY DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FRAME, A RESPECTIVE RIGID ARM STRUCTURE CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID PINTLE ELEMENTS AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY FROM SAID END OF SAID FRAME, A RESPECTIVE UNIVERSAL JOINT MOUNTED ON THE FREE END OF EACH SAID ARM STRUCTURE, A RESPECTIVE CONNECTOR PIN SECURED AT ONE END TO EACH SAID UNIVERSAL JOINT AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FRAME, A RESPECTIVE PARALLEL MOTION LINKAGE PIVOTALLY 